It’s a time of new beginnings: a new year, a new quarter, and (possibly) some new personal goals. Excitingly enough, lots of new music has been released during the first week of 2018. So, if one of your resolutions was to listen to more music, we got you. Here are some new tracks we at The Triton Arts & Culture are currently listening to.
“God Save Our Young Blood” by BØRNS, featuring Lana Del Rey
Released: January 2, 2018
For fans of: Broods, Banks, Lorde
With the mysterious and somewhat angelic nature of these two artists, this is a collaboration many of us were waiting for. “God Save Our Young Blood” is an ode to the young, love-smitten, and adventure-driven generation. With BØRNS’ iconic falsetto and Del Rey’s whispery voice, this track is a dreamy representation of new experiences and foreign feelings. Feelings of “blue skies” and “new life” drive this electro-pop song into a listener’s paradise. With its lasting metaphor of the open road, our possibilities are endless and our future is exciting. However, this dream ends with the harsh reality of Del Rey singing, “God save, God save our young blood. God save, God save our young love.” Until more collabs from this duo, BØRNS’ new album “Blue Madonna” releases January 12, 2018, with “God Save Our Young Blood” as its opening track. –Ana Magallanes
“Stir Fry” by Migos
Released: December 19, 2017
For fans of: 21 Savage, Pharrell, Gucci Mane
This song is produced by Pharrell, so you already know that it’s fun. It is a prequel to Migos’s upcoming Culture 2 album to be released this month, and is a follow up to Quality Control: Control the Streets Vol. 1, which released December 8, 2017. “Stir Fry” is also the song of the 2018 NBA All Star Game, so expect James Harden to dance to this like he danced to Watch Out by 2 Chainz at Dwight Howard’s 30th birthday. If you don’t care about sports, this song can still be for you. Play it when warming up at the gym, or pretending to warm up at the gym. Play it while you cook your fourth bowl of pasta for the week. Or, while you’re actually dancing with your dogs in the nighttime. – Amarachi Metu
“All the Stars (with SZA)” by Kendrick Lamar
Released: January 4, 2018
For fans of: Childish Gambino, Vince Staples, Isaiah Rashad
The first of the featured songs from the highly anticipated Black Panther movie, “All the Stars” is an ode to dreams. It discusses pride, ego, the spirit of wonder, love, and hope. Relating to the main character T’Challa’s struggle with his role as king and Lamar’s struggle with his fame, the lyrics express the frustration that comes with growth and how others attempt to hold them back. The Black Panther soundtrack will be produced by Kendrick Lamar and other members of Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE). Considering the track record of songs by Lamar and other members of TDE or their group Black Hippy, it is expected that the movie’s soundtrack will be nothing short of empowering. – Amarachi Metu
“Finesse (Remix) [Feat. Cardi B]” by Bruno Mars
Released: January 3, 2018
For fans of: Jason Derulo, N.E.R.D, Ty Dolla $ign
This song is a bop. It puts you in a good mood and its retro feel makes it almost impossible to not rock your body. Also, who can resist Cardi B’s spunky personality and Bruno Mars’s cool guy demeanor? If Bruno Mars was six feet tall, he’d be unstoppable. Simple lyrics like “We out here drippin’ in finesse / It don’t make no sense,” makes the song even more enjoyable. After playing this, try going the rest of your day without saying “ow,” I dare you. – Amarachi Metu
Older Bops to Consider:
“Blowback” by Galimatias // For fans of Ta-ku, SG Lewis, Alina Baraz
“Joy” by Leven Kali // For fans of Masego, Brent Faiyaz, Xavier Omär
“Moving Mountains” by Syd // For fans of Kelela, Ravyn Lenae, NAO
“Big Fish” by Vince Staples // For fans of Domo Genesis, Tyler the Creator, Vic Mensa
“Movie” by Tom Misch // For fans of Jordan Rakei, RKCB, Chet Faker
“Rip Van Winkle” by Shannon and the Clams // For fans of Tijuana Panthers, Black Lips, Dan Auerbach
“Danza de Gardenias” by Natalia Lafourcade // For fans of Julieta Venegas, Mon Laferte, Devendra Banhart